Xebr.
State
Piston
Soci
ety
iatte mouth
oucna
VOL. NO. XLVn
PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA. MONDAY, SEPT. 7, 1931.
NO. 63
3
City Truly at
the Crossroads
of the Nation
Auto Travel
ticns cf
Hea-y From all See
the United States
Through Plattsmouth.
The situation of this city makes it
truly the cross roads of the nation.
1' ated in the central portion of the
country, with national highways
from the east. west, north and south,
passing through this city, makes it
the scene of a constantly flowing
auto travel in all directions.
In the early morning hours, es
pecially. it is possible to realize just
how much of the auto travel passes
through here, when the local cars
are off the street and the cars of
the travelers are to be seen on their
way to vacation land or homeward
bound.
Cars from New York state and
'California are to be seen passing
while from Texas. Florida and the
states cf the south as well as Mon
tana and the Pacific northwest there
arc cars represented in the moving
stream.
With the coming of the fall days
the vacationists seem to be hurrying
homeward from journeys to distant
points where they have had the op
portunity of visiting in strange
scenes and viewing sections of the
country to which they were unac
quainted. The fact that the most direct route
from Chicago and the east over high
way No. 34 through Illinois and
Iowa, finds it? way through this city
and thence on west has caused a
great increase in this travel in the
pa-t summer months. The local
bridge serves to make the mileage
much less from the east and west
and with the constantly improving
highway systems there is more com
fort for the traveling public. The
paved highway No. 75 which is rap
idly being completed for its entire
route is also an appreciated route
for the traveling public.
HAVE FINE MEETING
The Woman's Missionary Society of
the Presbyterian church opened its
session of programs lor the year
Tuesday afternoon. They met with
Mrs. Ada Moore. The program was
in charge of church young people.
Miss Helen Wiles, who has been
attending the University of Mexico,
this summer, gave a very interesting
talk on observations of the people,
and their customs.
Maxine Cloidt. Gertrude Vallery
and Helen Warga, all of whom had
been in attendance at the Bellevue
Youne People's conference last June,
brought to the members a very earn-
st and interesting report of the
work done at such a conference
Each one took up a different phase
of the work. It was very evident to
those who listened, that thse girls
had attentive and diligent, while
there and had brought back with
them impressions that will be life
long.
Miss Maxine Cloidt has completed
the four year course at the confer
ence and was awarded a diploma last
June, which is the equivalent of one
unit in religious education, and will
be accepted at any university.
The meeting was largely amend
ed. During the social hour, dainty re
freshments were served by the hos
tess. SOLDIER S RELIEF COMMISSION
The county commissioners at their
session this week took up the mat
ter of the re-organization of the
soldier's relief commission of Cass
county which has in the past two
years suffered the loss of the mem
bership in the passing of the old vet
erans of the civil war, making it
necessary to name new members to
the commission. The selection was
made of younger men who can more
fully carry on the work as there are
few of the veterans of the civil war
that can be out to attend the meet
ings, owing to poor health.
The members named by the board
were: W. H. Kruger. Nehawka, one
year; Ben A. Olive. Wet ping Water,
two years, and Raymond J. Larson,
Plattsmouth. three years.
The commission has charge of the
administration of the relief fund of
the county and which is set at
$1,200 for the ensuing year under
the levy made by the commission
ers. HAS GARAGE BURGLARIZED
From Friday's Dally
The garage at the resider.ee of
Mrs. Bertha Shopp, Pearl and Tenth
street was burglarize, sometime last
night, reports at the office of the
sheriff state, and ' number of ar
ticles were taken from the garage
and the cars of Mrs. Shopp and her
son-in-law, Louis Lohnes. The par
ties took two blankets as well as
several small cushions from the cars,
some gas and also a part of the tools
from the car. The burglary was dis
1 i -red this morning as Mr. Lohnes
visited the garage to get his car to
drive to work. So far no trace has
been found of the missing articles
or the persona taking them.
DEPARTS FOR WEST
Wednesday afternoon Mr. and Mrs.
T. E. Todd and son. Albert, depart
ed by auto for Long Beach. Califor
nia, where for the past few years
they have made their home in the
winter season. Albert has been at
tending school in the California city
a:id enjoys very much the courses
that he receives at the school there.
The family returns to Nebraska each
summer to spend the time on the
farm here and which is an occasion
that the family looks forward to with
much pleasure. The many old friends
here hope to see the family back
home in Nebraska the coming sum
mer. Engagement of
Popular Lady is
Announced
Bridge Dinner at Tidball Home Hon
ors Miss Mary Jane Tidball.
September Bride
Wednesday evening at 6:30 Mrs
John L. Tidball and daughters. Mis.-t B
Ruth and Jean, entertained at a
most charming bridge dinner at their
home, the occasion being the an
nouncement of the forthcoming mar
riage of Miss Mary Jane Tidball. the
wedding to Mr. Karl Koch of Madi
son. Wisconsin, to take place on Sat
urday. September 19th.
The attractive home was arrang
ed in the decorations of the fall gar
den flowers and furnished a delight
ful setting for the dinner and the
bridge that followed.
There were twenty-eight ladies
present and in the bridge contest
Mrs. Nora Scott was the winner of
the high honors and Mrs. John Sat
tler. Jr.. the second prize.
Miss Tidball. the brde-to-be. is
the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
John L. Tidball of this cttv and is
a graduate of Nebraska university
and has in the four years been a
member of the faculty of the Platts
mouth high school in the department
of English and dramatic art.
Mr. Koch is a son of Mr. and Mrs.
Edward Koch of Seward. Nebraska.
and he is now completing his work
at the University of Wisconsin, where
he is to receive his degree of doctor
of philosophy in the next few weeks.
He is an entomologist at the univer
sity of Wisconsin.
Following their marriage the
young people are planning on mak
ing their home at Madison.
HOLD FAMILY REUNION
Last Sunday. Calumet Bend, near
the home of Grandma and Grandpa
Christ Beil was the scene of a very
pleasant reunion in form of a picnic,
in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Win. Split t
of Imperial. Mr. and Mrs. W. C.
Blakeslee. Betty and Billie. of Sharon
Springs. Kansas. The ladies both be
ing daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Peter
Campbell of near Plattsmouth.
All enjoyed the delicious dinner
furnished by each bringing the edi
bles they thought most desirable.
Also the very pleasant visit was en
joyed by all. It furnished a means
by which the guests were able to
see many relatives and friends they
would not have seen otherwise.
The gathering together furnished
another horseshoe game, which will
sometime become famous if enthus
iasm keeps up as it has been in past
few months. Those attending the
pleasant occasion were:
Messers and Mesdames W. C.
eslee, Sharon Springs. Kan.;
Splitt. Imperial; Christ Beil.
Campbell. John Campbell. Sr.,
Blnk
Wm. Peter
Mor-
ray; A. T. Campbell. Joe Campbell.
Glen Campbell. August Grauf. W. T.
Hutchison. F. W. Beil. Oscar Camp
bell, Ed Kohrell. Earl Merrit. Un
ion; Greeley Beil. Mrs. Mary John
son, Weeping Water, Mary Rora
beck. Jasper Henderson, Ruth Beil.
Wildon Switzer. Nehawka: lone Bar
nard, Kansis City; Pearlie Lenis.
Edward and Lena Grauf. Robert
Campbell, Glen and Thelma Kohrell.
Elbert Hutchison. Josephine Camp
bell, Alice Mae Campbell. Forest
Greeley Beil. Betty and Billie Blakes
lee. TO GO TO COLORADO
From Thursday's Pally
Mr. and Mrs. George Troon are
leaving this week for Colorado where
they will probably spend the winter,
at least Mrs. Troop remaining at
Colorado Springs. Mrs. Troop has
been quite poorly in the last few
weeks and on advice of her phy
sicians she will remain in the high
and dry climate of the west, hav
ing a slight lung affliction. Mrs.
Troop was formerly Miss Emily Stava
of this city and the many friends
here will regret very much to learn
that she Is not in the best of health.
HAS FINE TRIP
The
ceived
friend.
following card has been re
by E. A. Oldham, from his
Postmaster J. W. Holmes:
Haddonfield. N. J.. Aug. 29.
Dear Mr. Oldham:
We arrived here in fine shape. No
trouble at all. Drove 1,468 miles.
Cost for car $14.15. Car sure came
over the mountains great. Sincerely,
J. W. HOLMES.
Reception is
Tendered to New
Auxiliary Leader
Luncheon and Entertainment Ar
ranged by Auxiliary for Mrs.
C. A. Rosencrans
From Friday's Dally
Last evening the local unit of the
American Legion Auxiliary tendered
a most delightful covered dish lunch
eon and reception at the LegTon
building in honor of Mrs. Clayton
A. Rosencrans. newly elected state
president and member of the local
organization.
The event was very largely at
tended by the Auxiliary members
as well as the husbands of the mem
bers and friends, and members ol
the American Legion. The occasion
brought to this city a very large
group of the residents of Nehawka.
the girlhood home of Mrs. Rosen
crans and who joined in this very
fine recognition of the honor that
had been paid to this capable and
talented lady.
The long tables were arranged in
colors of red and black and with
the large number attending the seat
ing capacity of the banquet was
overtaxed as the members of the
party partook of the fine repast that
the ladies had arranged. The serv
ing was in cafett?ria style and the
menu was such that all enjoyed it
to the utmost.
The members of the party enjoyed
a short program at the close of the
luncheon, this feature being presided
over by H. L. Gayer in hi usual
capable mi.nner and who introduced
the various numbers on the program.
Jean and Billy Knorr. popular
juvenile entertainers of this city
showed their musical skill in two
offerings, presenting a saxophone
duet as the first and later in a vocal
duet gave a great deal of pleasure
to all of the auditors by their clever
ness. Mrs. Knorr served as the ac
companist. In the musical portion of the eve
ning John Kenneth Bestor was heard
in two clever humorous musical read
ings and in which the young man
proved himself a real entertainer.
Mrs. J. A. CapweTl. teacher of the
young man. served as the accom
panist. As the speaking list opened W. G.
Kieck. county attorney, who has been
familiar with the local services of
Mrs. Rosencrans. was called upon
and gave a fine tribute to her work
not alone in the Legion Auxiliary
but also in the general relief and
probation work that she has car
ried fin here for Cass county and the
American Red Cross. Mr. Kieck ex
tended the congratulations of the
Legion to the new Auxiliary presi
dent and wished her the success she
so well deserves in the office.
Mrs. Hettie Larson, local Auxiliary
president, briefly expres.-ed the hap
piness that the local unit felt in the
election of Mrs. Rosencrans and for
her fine services to the organization.
Mrs. George Ross of Nehawka, on
behalf of the Legion Auxiliary of
that place, extended greetings to the
members of the luncheon party and
expressed the feeling of pleasure of
the Nehawka people on the success
of their friend and former towns
woman, Mrs. Rosencrans. in attain
ing the place of leadership in the
organization of which she had been
a hardworking and faithful member.
The response of the new president.
Mrs. Rosencrans. was one filled with
emotion as she told of the thrill of
the hour as she was named at Fre
mont lo the office and of the fine sup
port that she had received in every
way from the local members of the
Auxiliary and Legion as well as the
residents of the community here and
Nehawka in their well wishes and
congratulations on her success. The
new president asked the co-operation
of all in the carrying out of the pro
gram for the coming year and in
which she hoped to have the Auxi
liary advance in every way.
Little Miss Mary Kathryn Wiles
was heard in a very clever humorous
reading that was very much enjoyed
and this litle lady demonstrated her
exceptional ability in thrs line of en
tertainment. After the program the remainder
of the evening was spent at cards
and dancing, a real jazz band being
arranged by C. A. Marshall and num
bering a large group of musicians
from Plattsmouth, Louisville and Ne
braska City, furnishing a fine pro
gram of dance numbers that all en
joyed until late in the evening.
The winners at the card games
were in bridge, Mrs. Henry Ross,
Nehawka. first ladies. H. Dotson.
Nehawka. first gents, and Mrs. John
H. Palacek. second ladies prize. In
the pinochle games, Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Rice won the first prize, Mrs.
Cox, Nehawka, second ladies prize
and J. P. Johnson, the second gentle
man's prize.
The occasion was one of the larg
est held by the Auxiliary for many
months and was a very fine and fit
ting recognition of the services that
Mrs. Rosencrans has given to the
American Legion Auxiliary of this
city and the state.
New store, new merchandise, new
prices. Watch for the opening of
The Reliable 5c to $1.00 store.
s3-tfd&w
RETURNS FROM MISSOURI
J. L. Burrows, who has been en
joying his vacation in southern Mis
souri, has returned home and re
torts a very fine trip and also that
the conditions in that section is much
better than last year and that the
field crops as well as the fruit is
very fine. Mr. Burrows visited at
Springfield, the metiopolis of south
ern Missouri, for tie greater part of
the time and also had visits at Bran
sou and Hollister. resort places in the
Ozarks. The visit was one that he
enjoyed to the utmost and he re
turns to the job here refreshed and
readv to hit the ball.
Sinking Piles
for New Viaduct
is a Real Job
Seeking
torn
a Firm Foundation in Bot-
Land Near Fort Crook
Is a Real Task.
From Thursday's Dally
The securing of a solid and firm
foundation for the piers of the new
Fort Crook viaduct is a matter that
is giving the engineers and contract
ors on the job considerable trouble
(.wing to the soft soil of the bottom
land on which the piers mut be lo
cated. In the bottom lands on the south
end of the viaduct the land is 1 w
and well filled with water and which
has been the cause of the difficulty
that has been found in trying to get
a foundation on which the concrete
piers can rest without danger of
-inking.
Telephone poles have been driven
in the soil to try and secure the de
sired foundation and if one pole is
insufficient there is a second driven
on top of the first and when it is
firmly grounded the poles are sawed
off and the concrete laid on this
foundation. In one case the poles
have been driven to a depth of
ninety-two feet and still the desired
firmness has not been reached.
Some of the piers which were
placed in the pastures on the east
side of the railroad tracks to carry
the viaduct have sunk several inches
and which has provn a very costl
occurance to those who have the con
tract of the work as they must make
the piers solid and in proper shape
for the placing of the structure of
the roadway of the viaduct.
WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS
The state supreme court has an
nounced that the arguments on the
appeal of Mrs. Inas Wever, convicted
in this city in January of poisoning
her husband. George Wever. and sen
tenced to life in the state peniten
tiary, will, be held before the court
on September 24th. Mrs. Wever is
appealing on the grounds that she
was not given a fair trial in the dis
trict court here and that the mis
conduct of the spectators at the trial
prevented a fair trial, that the ver
dict was not warranted by the evi
dence in the case as to the alleged
poisoning and that the death was
due to alcoholic poison. Mrs. Wever
is represented by W. N. Jamieson of
Omaha, while the state will be rep
resented by Clifford Rein, assistant
,attorney general and W. G. Kieck,
county attorney of ( ass county.
WILL JUDGE SOON
The judging in the Yard and
den contest to be held in this
Gar-
city.
will start soon, officers of the
mittee state. Lists from each
com
wai d
will be received and which will be
turned over to the group of judges,
all of the judges being selected rum
other communities and who will sur
vey the city and check the yards
and gardens of the contestants.
The various points on which the
judging will be made will be first
on the front yard on which twenty
five points are given, and on the rear
grounds where several classifications
will bring sixty points, on alleys,
ten points, while on parkings there
will be five points given. Special
recognition is gien for the improve
ment over the last year.
IOWA PEOPLE MARRIED
From Fridays Dally
Yesterday Rev. C. O. Troy of the
First Methodist church was called
upon to unite in the bonds of holy
wedlock Miss Grace Dunagan and
Edward Hopp, both of Glenwood.
The young people motored here in
company with Mrs. Zeila King, mo
ther of the bride and who witnessed
the wedding. Following the cere
mony the bridal party returned to
their home in Iowa to receive the
congratulations and well wishes of
their friends.
HERE FROM CHEYENNE
Jess Atterberry. who is employed
as a mechanic at the Cheyenne. Wyo
ming, airport is here for a visit with
his children who make their home
here with their grandfather and
aunt, L. E. Vroman and Xiss Win
nie. Jess made the trip by plane
from Cheyenne, coming in with one
of the regular pilots and the trip
was covered in four and a half hours,
with excellent flying conditions be
ing found.
Another Sug
gested Sunday
Motor Trip
Red Oak. One of the Beautiful Iowa
Towns Motorists Should See
Cnly Forty Mile Drive.
Last Saturday the Journal susreest
cd a Sunday drive into southwestern
Iowa, as a diversion from driving over
the old familiar Nebraska hiehways.
and this week continues its sugges
tion of further short jaunts into the
Iowa territory, now available to us
over the Plattsmouth bridge.
Red Oak is one of the most beauti
ful cities of western Iowa and the
motorist who has never visited that
town will enjoy a trip there tomorrow-providing
his time isn't all
taken up at the Lesion picnic. It is
just a nice little drive, over paved I
highway :!4 out of Glenwood. passing!
through the towns of Hastings and
Emerson and missing Malvern by just
one mile.
R.d Oak is the home of the Mur
nhy calendar plant, the largest of its
kind in the world and a finely kept
commercial institution with its land
sen ped grounds and large brick build
ings whose walls are covered with
growing vegetation. And what is
true of the calendar factory is like
wist' true, of the town in general, for
its well kept lawns have long distin
guished Red Oak as a town of beauty.
Just east of town, is the Legion park,
wit'i its large pavilion and other
apuru nances and a little farther on
lie the grounds of the Red Oak coun
try club, that boasts of one of the
sportiest golf courses in this section.
A drive about the tovn would be a
BMCl pleasant hour's diversion.
If one wants a long r drive he can
pontfnue east to the juncture of V. S.
34 with D. S. 71. continuing south
from there thru Villisca and on to
Clarinda. Leaving Clarinda, come
west over Iowa 3 thru Shenandoah
and Sidney, takintr Iowa 4 north out
of Sidney, thru Tabor, to its juncture
with I". S. 3 4 just east of Glenwood.
ind then continuing home. Or, for
i shorter trip (in good weather) that
would include Shenandoah, go south
out of Keel Oak on lowa 4S. inrom
Rssex on into Shenandoah the road is
paved, hut north of there 'me will find
some dirt srrade or detours.
A Shorter Circle Tour
For baseball enthusiasts who wish
to take in the ball tournament at
Council Bluffs, a shorter circle tour is
recommended. Leave Plattsmouth at
11:45. stop at Naeve's for fried chick
en picnic dinner, continue on thru
Omaha to Broadway park in Council
Rluffs in time for the first game. Re
turning, go east on Broadway to
Pearl, south and east on U. S. 34 past
the Iowa Deaf school and into the
hills overlooking the Missouri bottom,
for a splendid IS mile drive to Glen
wood. From Glenwood continue home
over Highway 13 4.
As related last week, there are
many beautiful Iowa towns located
within a very few miles of our doors
which will afford diversion from re
traveling the same old routes. While
most motorists are now compelled to
reach out from 75 to 100 miles to
visit "new" towns in Nebraska, from
a third to half that distance in Iowa
will bring the same pleasurable thrill
that come with seeing new places and
the saying in gasoline consumption
and wear and tear on the car will
more than offset the moderate round
trip toll rate over the Plattsmouth
bridge.
FIRE DESTROYS HOME
From Saturday's ilfflv
Last night shortly after 11 o'clock.
Fred Rice, who resides southeast of
this city on the property owned by
William Rice, awoke to discover
that the residence was in flames
and it was with the greatest of dif
ficulty that even a part of the house
hold furniture was saved from the
burning structure. The cause of the
fire has not been determined. This
property was recently acquired by
Mr. Rice and is the structure that
was formerly used by the American
Legion of this city as a summer ramp.
Mr. Rice had built on a small addi
tion to the place and has been using
it as a residence place for the sum
mer. The location is too far from
the city water service to allow the
aid of the fire department and also
difficult to reach as the road is over
the hills bordering the river.
RECEIVES RECOGNITION
Mrs. Madge Keck, of this city,
secretary of the American Legion
Auxiliary, has iust received a very
handsome gift in the shape of a
hammered brass tray, a gift of the
retiring district
D. Schroeder of
ent was made to
ing sent in the
the district over
president. Mrs. F.
Lincoln. The pres
Mrs. Keck for hav
nair.es that placed
the top in the mem-
bership drive the past year, the six
teen that Mrs. Keck sent in being
sufficient to place the district in their
full quoto of members.
LICENSED IN OMAHA
The marriage licenses issued in
Omaha Thursday included the names
of Kenner I. Price and Miss Clara
Smock, both of this city.
ENJOYING LIFE VERY MUCH
The Plattsmouth friends of Mrs.
Emma Morrison and Mrs. Elizabeth
Schwab, will be pleased to learn that
these ladies are doing very nicely at
Blair where they are residing and
where they have made their home
for some time. Mrs. Schwab some
time ago fell and injured herself
which has caused her to be confined
to a wheel chair but she is gradually
Improving and feeling much better
than she has since the accident. Mis.
Morrisson is enjoying herself at the
new home and with the many friends
that she has made finds it most pleas
ant in every way.
Rural Teachers
of County Hold
Institute Here
Practically All cf the Teachers
the Ccunty Here for Meeting
a; Couii. Hou5,e.
ol
from Saturday's Dally
The rural teachers of Cass county,
held their institute touay at me ass
county court house, the sessions be
ing u:;der the direction of Mis Alpha
C. Peterson, county superintendent,
with some seventy-eight of the teach
ers being here for the sessions.
The sessions opened at 9 o'clock
with the greetings from Miss Peter
son to the bevy of handsome and at
tractive teachers who are starting in
on tne task ol the training 01 the.
children of the county. i
Miss Cora Williams, supervisor of
music in tht
Plattsmouth city
schools, had the first period of thej
institute and which consisted of the.
rural school chorus work, a musical
t rm I n In flint will he mmle n tiart fit'
the school program this year and latter part of July when the boat
which will be introduced in the arrived. It was described as a "beau-.-thools
of the county. tiful boat, capacious and powerful.'
Th& c..,.nnrt r...rw., i,r the mrir n i n p-1 Peter A. Sarpy of Bellevue obtained a
and afternoon was occunied bv Miss
Daisy Simons of the state depart
ment of education, who had as her
subject, "The Kingdom of Youth," a
study of the child welfare and which
is being carried on as a national
movement.
Superintendent R. E. Bailey ot
the Plattsmouth city schools spoke at
the morning session on the work of
the teacher in the schools of the na
tion and the various courses of study
that will be a part of the teaching
work.
Following the dinner hour the in
stitute took up the resumption oi
the musical work under the direction i possible as a further lure for east
ot Miss Williams and also had an-! immigrants. A resolution was
other very fine talk by Miss Simons 1 presented to the Council December
on her nhase of the institute work.'13- J85S authorizing a subsidiy of
Miss Alpha Peterson closed the
session this afternoon with a very
able discussion with the teachers o
the problems that they will meet in
the school work as well as discuss
ing the studies and the best methods
of securing the most efficient result
for the pupils and the school.
Every section of the county was
represented at the sessions and
greatest of interest was shown in
work.
MARRIED IN NEW YORK
Krom Saturday s Datly
Today in New York city occurred i
the marriage of Miss Mfcrguerite Jo
Wiles, 26. teacher, Plattsmouth)
young lady and Ivan Wesley Norlin.
2t). clerk of No. Britton avenue.
Elmhurst, Long Island.
The young people were issued a
license on last Tuesday at the re
corder's office at the city hall.
The bride has been making her
home at 1 29 Madison avenue, since
locating in New Yorw City.
The bride i3 a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Luke L. Wiles of this city
and is a graduate of the Plattsmouth
high school and the Wesleyan uni
versity and has been in New York
City for a short lime.
Nor Norlin is a former resident of
I'land, Nebraska, and is a son of Rev.
and Mrs. Charles A. Norlin.
ALL READY FOR TRAINING
Coach Fred Rothert with several
of the members of the football squad
were at the high school Thursday
arranging the football equipment:,
getting the suits out of the moth
balls and all lined up for the season.
The suits were arranged for thirty
two of the boys and will be all ready
to be issued on Tuesday afternoon.
The practice will probably start the
first afternoon of school and the
gridiron heroes who will do battle
with Wahoo here on September 25th.
will get down to the regular grind
of practice and training for the sea
son which will culminate here on
Thanksgiving day when the Nebras
ka City team plays the annual tur
key day classic with the locals.
RECEIVES DIVORCE DECREE
From Saturdays Datlv
This morning in the district court
a hearing was had on the petition of
Mrs. Lola Reichstadt vs. Dangar
Reichstadt and in which the plain
tiff asks for a decree of divorce. The
testimony of the plaintiff was taken
and the court found for the plain
tiff by awarding a decree of divorce,
the custody of the minor child and
also the allowance of the sum of $10
per month ailmony for the care of
the child.
Early History
of Plattsmouth
is Recounted
ROBERT POKTEM PATTOMOX,
I'rim-ipHl I'lnil miil h II .
While
souri hat
ginnings
a few voyages BB the Mi
been made prioi to the be
of Plattsmouth. trde was
by by
no means regular, so it is ;o
the ferry that we turn firr
immediately became iie-saiy
for it
when
immigration to ihe west began.
The first ferry at Plattsmouth was
thai of Libeas T. Coon who oper
ated a flat boat propel led by sweeps
ill 1S4S. The Mormon migration
westward was responsible for this
ferry. Coon was succeeded in 1852
by Samuel Martin, the founder of
Plattsmouth and the flat boat con
tinued to be the type used until lh57
when a steam propelled boat was
used for the first time. The Platts
mouth Ferry Company was incor
porated by five Plattsmouth citizens
including Wheal ley Mickelwaite. first
mayor, on March 1. 1S55. This act
does not list a schedule of fees to
be charged but a survey of other
ferry charters of the same period
show the following prices geneially
followed: team and wagon. $1 00;
horse or mule and buggy. 75c; cattle
per head. 10c; sheep and hogs pr
head, 5c; persons on foot. 10c; for
team led. 25c; freight 10c pat hun
dred; lumber $2.00 per thousand
feet; empty wagon and team. 75c.
The ferry "Emma" was put into
service by Sharpe anil Mickelwaite
. 'and was to run between Pacific City.
Iowa and the Plattsmouth landing.
The boat was scheduled to go into
I ei f iofl
In June, 1S57 but detective
liio s delayed her arrival until the
' permit to operate
to operate "The Survivor In
competition with "The Emma April
24, 186 and a contest for the trans
river trade followed during the sum
mer of 1860. The competition be
came so spirited that at times both
boats would carry freight and pas
sengers free in an effort to drive the
other off the river. A compromise
was l cached toward the close of
1860 and the "Emma" was left to
handle the business alone.
In December, 1858. the City Coun
cil of Plattsmouth discussed the
matter of going into the ferry busi
ness in order to make cheap rates
$3000 in citv lots to Mickelwaite and
Palmer, ferry owners, in return for
a ferry rate of one half their regu
lar prices. The resolution was re
ferred to a committee of two who
reported on December 30. IS 58 that
the city had no authority to deed
lots and that the amount of the sub
sidy was too high. The committee
the ' expressed the opinion that the mat
the',er ought to go before a city elpc-
tion but made clear the point that
the city ought to official encourage
travel to come through Plaitsmouth
even if financial aid from private in
dividuals had to be solicited. The
report of this committee was first
adopted then reconsidered and the
committee given until January 5,
1859 to further investigate and re
port. The matter of a city subsidy.
I however, was dropped for the time
(being on that date and the commit
I tee discharged. But the matter was
I taken up again immediately and the
amount of the subsidy lowered to
$1000 in city lots in return for the
operation of "The Emma for a per
iod of twelve months at half prices.
Mickelwaite and Palmer refused to
accept this proposition.
But the city still wanted to get
into the ferry business so Council
man Sampson was appointed to per
sonally attend a meeting of the ferry
stockholders at Glenwood. Iowa, and
filter $1500 dollars in city lots. On
January 22. 18"9. Sampson reported
that the company had accepted these
terms.
It was not until 1 868. however.
thai the city got into the ferry busi
ness in earnest. On May 22. 1S68.
ten per cent bonds to the amount of
$9000 were issued for the purchase
of "The Paul Wilcox." a side-wheeler.
All passengers who made roum!
trips were to pay a half rate. M.W h
to the dismay of the City CounciK
'"The Paul Wilcox" struck a snag
and went to the bottom of the river
in July. 1868 carrying $9000 of
value in bonds outstanding with it
ii nd. temporarily at least, set back
the hope of the city to have a hand
it: diverting western immigration
Plattsmouth. The Council could do
little more than instruct the finance
committee to audit the ferry ac
counts and dispose of the wreckage
of the sunken craft. The bondholders
assigned the wi?ckage fb the city
and an agreement was reached with
a Mr. McGee to operate a ferry by
' salvaging the machinery of "The
Paul Wilcox" and installing it on a
Pitt beat. McGee told the Council
April 12. 1869 that he would have
a boat on hand to take care of the
business until he could secure a new
boat which would be a matter of six
weeks. He proposed a boat large
enough to carry thirty teams at
once and his contract was extended
to June 1st. At any rate, the bonds
(Continued on Page 3)
